My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

and took a seat at the table with the rest of

‘dream’ and received many gasps

Dane and Zayd exchanging looks the whole time I was talking, making me feel as if they knew

asked, looking back

some things that

my

raised my eyebrows as I

friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he said he couldn’t remember all of

Devin and Nyla were able

been one to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone can even bring an

want to hurt him," I

believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin,

conversations since then, trying to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed

think Apollo is a

this time who had

any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but

Zayd told me gently.

at the thought of being betrayed by my father,

think you could get

this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up and regular sweeps up

of heads, a resounding, "Yes Alpha" filled

to the door as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you

down next to me.I was

I replied, not really in the mood for

make.Do you want to stay home today, or do you want to go over with me?" he

the packhouse." I smiled at

can go together.I don’t want you out walking around by yourself, especially

nodded at

the packhouse, stopping a few

the office next door to his where Adria and Genesis

both had large books in front of them that looked to be hundreds

"Any luck?"

sighed as I sat Kyra down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys,

looked at me shaking their heads, "Not yet, but

Adria replied.

carefully flipped through the pages as I scanned for anything about the Moon Goddess

Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go into details or

stated as she rose

need to go get Blaze

Dane walked through the door,

the book she was currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet

still on the phone; he said he would meet us downstairs

hanging on the wall above the door, surprised to see it was already time

would explain Kyra’s mood

isn’t about to miss a meal,

all headed downstairs together, meeting up with everyone as we entered

had sat Kyra in her highchair

has happened and is still happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly

our conversations are focused mainly on Kyra and how she

didn’t think it was

I would ask about Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra

I murmured lost in

we should talk privately

expression became one of worry, but he didn’t push the

this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well enough to say if he had the brains to come

felt like it was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he had

Genesis and Adria took the kids to her house so they could take a nap while

I stated not waiting for everyone to get

in surprise at

with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any sense now to be able to do this on his own, but Apollo is.What if Devin is nothing more than a foot soldier, so to speak? I know y'all already thought Apollo had a part in

was engulfed in silence

office to gauge

a part, but whether he is the brains or not I

as I thought about it, continuing

did the phone

I looked at Zayd.

before lunch, and I am assuming

planning to come and speak with us.He wouldn’t say anything else other than he would be

little, "Why not talk on the phone about

"Vampires are very private, secretive

me to sit down,

sigh, wishing none of

Dane looked at Zayd, "I spoke with Uncle Dayton for a while

the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He

pack, but then again, there aren't too many

he felt he needed to move his pack next to

does he want to do that?"

now he said he has good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the

shocked to hear his loyalty wasn’t with Apollo,

knows me, but he has been willing to stand beside us without hesitation

have Adria call him

chair, "remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will

in the office, the silence once again